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Cryo Archive — How to Unlock & What to Expect
Everything you need to know about Marathon's endgame map: exfil requirements, unlock requirements, exclusive loot, and preparation tips
MarathonMeta·March 19, 2026
Table of Contents
///How to Exfil from Cryo Archive
Cryo Archive does NOT have standard exfil points like other maps. Extraction requires a multi-step process that you need to understand before going in:
⬗ STEP 1 — BUILD SECURITY CLEARANCE
Kill UESC Commanders (1 point each) and hack security terminals (3 points each) to raise your Security Clearance level. You need to reach Clearance Level 3 or 4, which takes roughly 15+ points total.
Kill UESC Commanders (1 point each) and hack security terminals (3 points each) to raise your Security Clearance level. You need to reach Clearance Level 3 or 4, which takes roughly 15+ points total.
⬗ STEP 2 — FIND A SCANNER PANEL
Once your clearance is high enough, locate a Scanner Panel. Interacting with it reveals the Extract Terminals on your map.
Once your clearance is high enough, locate a Scanner Panel. Interacting with it reveals the Extract Terminals on your map.
⬗ STEP 3 — ACTIVATE AN EXTRACT TERMINAL
Go to one of the revealed Extract Terminals and turn it on. This does NOT open the exit at the terminal location.
Go to one of the revealed Extract Terminals and turn it on. This does NOT open the exit at the terminal location.
⬗ STEP 4 — REACH THE EXIT
The actual extraction point spawns elsewhere on the map. Open your map, look for the skull icon, and run. You have exactly 3 minutes and 30 seconds to reach it before it closes.
The actual extraction point spawns elsewhere on the map. Open your map, look for the skull icon, and run. You have exactly 3 minutes and 30 seconds to reach it before it closes.
TIPOnly one exfil can be active at a time across the entire map. If a terminal says 'another exfil is active,' you need to wait for the previous team's 3:30 timer to expire before you can activate a new one.
///Navigating Cryo Archive
Cryo Archive uses a Security Clearance system that gates access to different areas of the map. Your clearance level determines which doors you can open and which zones you can enter.
⬗ HOW TO RAISE CLEARANCE
Acquire Security Tags from enemies or interact with security terminals scattered across the map. Killing bosses drops more tags and gives larger clearance boosts. As your clearance level increases, deeper areas of the ship become accessible.
Acquire Security Tags from enemies or interact with security terminals scattered across the map. Killing bosses drops more tags and gives larger clearance boosts. As your clearance level increases, deeper areas of the ship become accessible.
This is not optional — you need clearance to reach the Scanner Panels for extraction, access vault areas, and get to the best loot. Prioritize terminals (3 points each) over regular commander kills (1 point each) if you want to progress quickly.
///Using Vault Keys
Cryo Archive contains locked vaults that hold the highest-tier loot on the map. Opening them requires Marathon Keys and specific resources.
⬗ MARATHON KEYS
You need a Marathon Key to open a vault. Each key tells you the Power and Cooling requirements for its corresponding door — for example, a key might require Power: 8 and Cooling: 1.
You need a Marathon Key to open a vault. Each key tells you the Power and Cooling requirements for its corresponding door — for example, a key might require Power: 8 and Cooling: 1.
⬗ POWER — BATTERIES
Find batteries throughout the map to power the vault doors. These are physical items you need to locate and carry to the vault.
Find batteries throughout the map to power the vault doors. These are physical items you need to locate and carry to the vault.
⬗ COOLING — CRYO COOLANT
Fill Empty Cryo Coolant containers at the lower levels of the map where you'll see frost effects. Look for frost-covered areas deeper in the ship — that's where the coolant sources are.
Fill Empty Cryo Coolant containers at the lower levels of the map where you'll see frost effects. Look for frost-covered areas deeper in the ship — that's where the coolant sources are.
Bring both the required batteries and filled coolant containers to the vault door along with your key to open it.
TIPVault keys are rare drops. If you find one, prioritize getting it out alive — or commit to opening the vault that run. Don't waste a key on a run where your squad isn't prepared to go deep.
///What Is Cryo Archive?
Cryo Archive is Marathon's fourth map and first dedicated endgame zone. Set aboard the UESC Marathon colony ship in orbit above Tau Ceti IV, it's designed as a high-risk, high-reward destination for fully geared crews looking for the best loot in the game.
Unlike Perimeter, Dire Marsh, and Outpost, Cryo Archive is gated behind strict progression requirements. This isn't a map you stumble into — it's the endgame, and Bungie built it that way on purpose. Notably, this will be the first time Runners encounter the Compiler — a threat that until now has only been referenced in codex entries and UESC transmissions.
Cryo Archive was added to the game in Patch 1.0.5. As of March 19, the map is on a countdown and expected to go live on March 20. Once it opens, any player who meets the entry requirements below can queue in.
///Unlock Requirements
There are three requirements you must meet before you can queue into Cryo Archive:
⬗ RUNNER LEVEL 25
You need to have reached at least Level 25 during Season 1. This means turning in contracts consistently across multiple factions. There's no shortcut here — you need the XP.
You need to have reached at least Level 25 during Season 1. This means turning in contracts consistently across multiple factions. There's no shortcut here — you need the XP.
⬗ ALL SIX FACTIONS UNLOCKED
You must establish a connection with every faction in the game. This does NOT mean maxing them out — you just need to complete the introductory liaison contracts for each one. As you progress through the story missions for your starting factions (CyberAcme, NuCaloric, etc.), you'll unlock quests that open up the remaining factions.
You must establish a connection with every faction in the game. This does NOT mean maxing them out — you just need to complete the introductory liaison contracts for each one. As you progress through the story missions for your starting factions (CyberAcme, NuCaloric, etc.), you'll unlock quests that open up the remaining factions.
⬗ LOADOUT VALUE OF 5,000 CREDITS
Your equipped gear must total at least 5,000 credits to enter. This means you cannot run Cryo Archive with a free Sponsored Kit or as a Rook. You need to bring real gear with real value on the line.
Your equipped gear must total at least 5,000 credits to enter. This means you cannot run Cryo Archive with a free Sponsored Kit or as a Rook. You need to bring real gear with real value on the line.
If any of these requirements are incomplete, the map will show as locked on the selection screen with a clear status indicator telling you what you're missing.
TIPThe 5,000 credit loadout floor is roughly a full set of Enhanced gear with a few Deluxe pieces. Start stockpiling good gear now if you're not there yet.
///No Solo Queue
Cryo Archive does not support solo queue. You must enter as part of a squad — this is a team-focused endgame zone designed around coordinated crew play.
If you need a squad, use the MarathonMeta LFG tool to find experienced players who are also preparing for Cryo Archive. You can filter by platform and use voice chat directly through the site.
///Exclusive Loot — Implant Perks
Cryo Archive introduces three new random-rolled implant perks that can ONLY drop on implants looted from inside Cryo Archive. These do not appear anywhere else in the game:
⬗ COVERT RECOVERY
While in smoke, your self-repair speed is increased and you use healing consumables faster. This is a strong synergy perk for Assassin players who rely on Smoke Puck for cover during fights.
While in smoke, your self-repair speed is increased and you use healing consumables faster. This is a strong synergy perk for Assassin players who rely on Smoke Puck for cover during fights.
⬗ FREELOADER
Defeating an enemy with a knife attack grants a small amount of tactical and prime ability energy. Rewards aggressive melee play with faster ability cycling — particularly nasty on Thief and Assassin builds.
Defeating an enemy with a knife attack grants a small amount of tactical and prime ability energy. Rewards aggressive melee play with faster ability cycling — particularly nasty on Thief and Assassin builds.
⬗ PANIC RESPONSE
While at low health, using a healing consumable grants the effects of Cardio Kick for a short duration. This is a clutch survival perk that gives you a burst of speed when you heal at low HP, letting you reposition or escape after a close call.
While at low health, using a healing consumable grants the effects of Cardio Kick for a short duration. This is a clutch survival perk that gives you a burst of speed when you heal at low HP, letting you reposition or escape after a close call.
TIPThese perks are random rolls on looted implants — you can't craft or buy them. You'll need to extract successfully with the implants to keep them.
///Exclusive Loot — Weapon Mods
Cryo Archive also has three exclusive weapon mods that can only be looted from inside the map:
⬗ PUNISHMENT
This weapon deals significantly increased damage against [REDACTED] combatants. The target enemy type is still classified by Bungie, but this mod is expected to be extremely valuable for PvE encounters within Cryo Archive itself.
This weapon deals significantly increased damage against [REDACTED] combatants. The target enemy type is still classified by Bungie, but this mod is expected to be extremely valuable for PvE encounters within Cryo Archive itself.
⬗ TESTAMENT
Aiming down sights for a short duration increases this weapon's range and aim assist by a massive amount. A strong mod for precision weapons — hold your ADS for a moment and your shots become dramatically more forgiving at range.
Aiming down sights for a short duration increases this weapon's range and aim assist by a massive amount. A strong mod for precision weapons — hold your ADS for a moment and your shots become dramatically more forgiving at range.
⬗ HURRICANE
While airborne, this weapon has increased stability and greatly reduced accuracy penalties. Perfect for Runners who use vertical movement — Vandal players in particular can take advantage of this with Microjets and elevated positioning.
While airborne, this weapon has increased stability and greatly reduced accuracy penalties. Perfect for Runners who use vertical movement — Vandal players in particular can take advantage of this with Microjets and elevated positioning.
///How to Prepare
If you're not ready for Cryo Archive yet, here's what to focus on right now:
⬗ HIT LEVEL 25
Turn in contracts, complete faction objectives, and exfil consistently. Every successful extract earns XP toward your Runner Level.
Turn in contracts, complete faction objectives, and exfil consistently. Every successful extract earns XP toward your Runner Level.
⬗ UNLOCK ALL SIX FACTIONS
Work through the story progression quests. Each starting faction eventually gives you a quest that opens the next one. You don't need to max any faction — just establish the initial connection with all six.
Work through the story progression quests. Each starting faction eventually gives you a quest that opens the next one. You don't need to max any faction — just establish the initial connection with all six.
⬗ BUILD A 5,000+ CREDIT LOADOUT
Start collecting and upgrading Enhanced and Deluxe tier gear. Don't sell everything after a good run — bank the pieces you'll want to bring into Cryo Archive.
Start collecting and upgrading Enhanced and Deluxe tier gear. Don't sell everything after a good run — bank the pieces you'll want to bring into Cryo Archive.
⬗ COORDINATE WITH A SQUAD
This is not a solo activity. Find reliable teammates now, run Outpost or Dire Marsh together to build chemistry, and make sure your squad has complementary Runner shells and roles.
This is not a solo activity. Find reliable teammates now, run Outpost or Dire Marsh together to build chemistry, and make sure your squad has complementary Runner shells and roles.
⬗ STOCK UP ON CONSUMABLES
Healing items, ammo reserves, and utility consumables will be critical in a high-stakes zone where dying means losing everything you brought in.
Healing items, ammo reserves, and utility consumables will be critical in a high-stakes zone where dying means losing everything you brought in.
///What We Don't Know Yet
Cryo Archive is now live and being explored by the community. There are still open questions we'll update as information becomes available:
[placeholder] — Full map layout and points of interest are still being documented. Check the interactive map for the latest callouts and markers.
[placeholder] — Specific enemy types and encounter difficulty tiers inside Cryo Archive are being catalogued. The Punishment mod references [REDACTED] combatants, suggesting unique enemy types exclusive to this zone.
[placeholder] — Vault locations and the role of Cryo Archive Keys (rare loot keys for high-tier vaults and locked doors) are known to exist but not yet fully mapped.
We will continue updating this guide with loot tables, strategy breakdowns, and detailed encounter information as the community maps the zone.